Week 01
Overview
The University of Sydney
February 23, 2026
This unit bridges technical foundations and political dimensions of cybersecurity — designed for both engineering and non-engineering students.
Technical side (Weeks 1–6)
Geopolitical & social side (Weeks 7–13)
Technical foundations
Geopolitics & governance
| Assessment | Weight | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber Incident Video Presentation | 25% | Week 5 — 27 Mar 2026 |
| Crisis Simulation Participation | 5% | Week 8 — 22 or 23 Apr 2026 |
| Analytical Essay | 30% | Week 9 — 1 May 2026 |
| Final Exam (pen-and-paper) | 40% | Formal exam period |
What: A 10-minute video about a real cyber incident of your choice
Due: 27 March 2026 (Week 5) — submit via Canvas
What to cover:
Marking (AI allowed):
Crisis Simulation (5%) — Week 8, 17 April
Show up, play your assigned stakeholder role (government, hacktivists, UN, etc.) in a live two-hour cyber attack scenario. Groups and context provided a few weeks in advance.
Analytical Essay (30%) — 1 May 2026
A 2,500-word reflection on the simulation: the decisions your group made, how you negotiated with other groups, and what you learned — drawing on course readings. You must attend the simulation to write this essay. AI allowed.
Final Exam (40%) — Formal exam period
2-hour pen-and-paper exam: 60 multiple choice questions (30 technical, 30 arts/policy) + 2 short-answer questions (5 points each). AI prohibited.